To Tent or Not To Tent

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picture of technician investigating under a house

How Much Damage Termites Cause

We are in the middle of termite season in New Orleans.  Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damages and repair costs annually. In fact, termites damage more homes than fires, floods and tornadoes. More than 4 million homes in the United States are at risk of infestation this year.

What Kind Of Termites You Might Find In Your Home

In Louisiana, your home could be infested by both Subterranean and Drywood termites. Subterranean termites nest in the ground, while Drywood termites nest inside the wood they are infesting.  Drywood termites don’t need access to damp, rotten wood in order to survive. High-quality building materials that are in optimal condition can be infected. You’ll have to go beyond fixing property and plumbing leaks, covering standing bodies of water and directing drain spouts away from the home to get rid of those pesky bugs. Subterranean termites often enter through wood that touches the ground or by constructing mud tubes from the ground to the wood they infest. Cracks in concrete walls and foundations made of hollow blocks are also paths these insects take to infest your house.

Ask The Experts

At Terminix, we offer the best Termite Treatment plans and options that include: the Bait Defense System, the Liquid Defense System, and the Tent Defense System. Ask the experts at Terminix to find out which treatment is the best solution for your home. In certain instances, infestation with Drywood or  Subterranean termites can be so severe that tent fumigation is the only option. Other infestations that might require tenting include Wood Borer Beetle infestation, severe Bed Bug infestation or severe spider infestations. If you’re concerned about termites, schedule your free inspection. Terminix’ experts will make sure they aren’t damaging your property and protect you from future infestations.

How To Prepare Your Home For Fumigation

If you find your home needs to be fumigated there are a few steps you need to take before the process can begin. You’ll have to remove all food from the home unless it is canned, vacuumed or airtight sealed in the original manufacture’s seal. Make sure to empty out your  fridge and freezer and take all your medications from the home. You will also have to remove all plastic mattress covers and take out all baby mattresses. Make sure  to open open up all plastic bins and storage containers. Garment bags and trash bags must be opened up before the fumigation process can begin. Don’t leave cabinets, safes, lockers, chests and closets locked or closed. All automatic lights need to be turned off. If you want to leave wine bottles in the home, store them horizontally. Take all your plants out of the home.  Don’t forget to water all your plants around the fumigation several days before the process starts. Terminix will make sure your gas is turned off.

Benefits Of Fumigation

Experts say fumigation is the only whole-structure method that has been proven 100% effective at eliminating every Drywood termite infestation. Finding Drywood termites can be difficult as they  hide in wood very well.  Some have said finding them is like trying to find thousands of needles in billions of haystacks. Fumigation has the advantage of being able to treat every part of your home and its structure in one go. To get rid of Subterranean termites, it is normally only recommended if you find multiple colonies in your home. Many homeowners are worried about clean up but fumigations use an inorganic gas. It completely dissipates from a structure following fumigation, leaving no surface residue, odor or film behind.

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